4 of 12This bright-blue matte didn't haunt us as much as the Fiat 500 Abarth in dark gray, but it was different enough to catch our attention.

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

5 of 12The shape, color and texture of this Ford Fusion taillight are interesting without being gaudy.

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

6 of 12While this design is different and very much brand-specific (the backwards "L" mirros the Lexus logo), we think this look could become dated fast.

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

7 of 12The Hyundai Veloster incorporates several shapes with fluid lines into the headlight for a sporty look.

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

8 of 12Only Cadillac can get away with this kind of geomoetry. Angles, points and three-dimensional to boot.

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

9 of 12This Jaguar headlight is simple and elegant ... and looks as though it is wearing a bit of eyeliner.

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

10 of 12We love the jewel-like quality the Bentley headlights offer, nearly as dazzling as gazing into a princess-cut diamond.

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

11 of 12Massive and loaded with chrome, this grille does more than grab our attention: It jumps up and down screaming, "Hey, look at me!"

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

12 of 12The delicate mesh paired with the roaring jaguar head present a compelling offer of luxury with an edge.

Photo by Sherrice Gilsbach

About the Chicago auto show

What is it about a car that captures your eye; the one thing about it that makes an important first impression? We toured the Chicago Auto Show, looking for features that spoke to us. We learned color, lights and grilles play an important role.

Obviously, a bright-yellow car will stand out from the crowd, but the color trend we are most intrigued by is not so much a hue but a finish. Matte finishes that take all the glossy sheen off a car are increasing in number with every show we attend. Four stood out in Chicago -- the Volkswagen Beetle, Fiat 500, Chrysler Turbine concept and a Chevrolet Malibu turbo that first appeared at the SEMA show.

Maybe the fact that this finish is different is what attracts us. Perhaps the draw is knowing that few production cars will ever offer the subdued look. Regardless, we want more.

The headlights that had us all googly eyed were the Jaguar XK, Mercedes Concept Style coupe (the CLA production version will be available soon enough), Corvette Stingray and just about any, Bentley. Kudos to the Hyundai Veloster, too, for its shapely yet modern headlight style.

Front and center on every car is the grille. This feature can be of Goliath proportions or simple and understated. Again, the Mercedes Concept Style coupe grabbed us -- the pixelated look of all that chrome has a dramatic effect. Others we swooned over include the blinged-out Ram 1500 and the entire Jaguar lineup. Something about that growling Jaguar head adds a sinister and performance-minded aura to these luxury cars.

Whatever your taste, many of the characteristics we've mentioned here make the difference between car love at first sight … or the look that has you walking in the opposite direction. What are some of your favorite features?

The Chicago Auto Show is held every February at McCormick Place and bills itself as "The Nation's Largest." Pickup trucks traditionally have had a big showing in Chicago, as have green and small cars. This year marks the 105th Chicago Auto Show; press days are Feb. 7-8 while public days are Feb. 9-18.